It's now been a decade since Waikato won the NPC, and while a championship is perhaps out of reach for now, a top-four finish is attainable after coming a disappointing sixth in 2015.

Taking the Ranfurly Shield off Hawke's Bay last October was a huge boost for Waikato after a few difficult seasons, which left them battling to avoid relegation from the premiership more times than Mooloo fans would care to remember.

But with the Log o' Wood in the trophy cabinet, and three comfortable pre-season defences over Thames Valley, King Country and Wanganui, Waikato's season should kick off with an added competitive edge.

Head coach Sean Botherway said he was proud of his players after their last defence, and their hit-out against Taranaki last weekend saw Waikato take a 26-man squad to Inglewood.

A 21-12 defeat matters little in the grand scheme of things, with a healthy mix of the NPC, development and junior squads all getting game time.